?“I, Louis von Aerium, challenge you to a duel.”

  ?The words hung in the air, heavy with royal weight.

  ?Aelira froze. She shook her head instinctively. “I’m not here to fight.”

  ?“Scared?” Louis took a step closer, his green eyes gleaming with mockery. “For someone who claims she will be a Hero, you don’t sound very confident. Or is ‘Viremont’ just a name for cowards now?”

  ?Aelira’s breath hitched.

  ?Coward?

  ?She remembered the bruises from Telgit’s training. She remembered the blood on her hands. She remembered the heavy, ancient feeling of the Essence inside her.

  ?She wasn't a coward.

  ?Anger, hot and sharp, rose in her chest.

  ?“Fine,” she snapped, her silver eyes hardening. “Let’s do this.”

  ?Louis smirked. “I knew you’d accept. The training grounds. Ten minutes. Don’t worry—we’ll use wooden swords. It ends when one of us yields or can’t stand.”

  ?“Fine by me.”

  ?“Good.”

  ?He extended his hand. Aelira took it.

  ?Zap.

  ?The air between them seemed to crackle.

  ?Around the corner, a passing maid gasped, clutching a basket of laundry.

  ?“Lady Aelira...? And His Highness?”

  ?She watched the two children stare each other down, sensing the tension radiating off them like heat waves.

  ?“Oh dear... this is going to be trouble.”

  ?The Royal Training Grounds were massive.

  ?Unlike the square, wooden-fenced yard of the Viremont estate, this was a sprawling circular arena paved with white stone. Spectator stands rose on one side, and weapon racks lined the walls.

  ?By the time Aelira arrived, a small crowd had already gathered—knights off duty, servants whispering behind their hands, and a few nobles who happened to be nearby.

  ?News traveled fast in the palace.

  ?Aelira stepped into the ring. She wore her black training gear—shirt tucked tight into trousers, boots laced up. She looked small in the vast arena.

  ?Opposite her stood Louis. He wore red trousers and a crisp white shirt, looking every inch the prince.

  ?He picked up a wooden sword and gave it a few practice swings. The blade cut the air with a sharp whoosh.

  ?“You seem ready,” he remarked coolly.

  ?“Yes. I am.”

  ?Aelira drew her own wooden blade. She settled into her stance—legs apart, knees bent, sword held high. It wasn't elegant, but it was solid.

  ?Louis eyed her stance, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then he turned to a knight standing nearby.

  ?“Gilbert—if you please.”

  ?The knight blinked, pointing at himself. “Me, Your Highness?”

  ?“Yes, you. I want you to referee.”

  ?“As you wish.” The knight bowed and stepped between them. “Please, both of you—take two steps back.”

  ?They obeyed.

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  ?The arena fell silent.

  ?“Aelira, isn’t it?” Louis smirked, raising his sword. “If you want to withdraw and save face, this is your last chance.”

  ?“I could say the same for you,” she shot back.

  ?Louis’s eye twitched.

  ?The knight raised his hand.

  ?“Ready? Begin!”

  ?Boom.

  ?Louis launched himself forward instantly. He was fast—much faster than Lysric. In a blink, he was in her personal space, his sword swinging down in a vertical arc.

  ?Aelira reacted on instinct.

  ?Clack!

  ?Their wooden swords collided.

  ?Aelira braced herself for the impact. She expected her bones to rattle. She expected to be thrown back, just like when she fought Telgit.

  ?But...

  ?Huh?

  ?She didn’t move. Her arms didn’t even shake.

  ?Wait... this is light.

  ?It wasn't weak, but compared to the bone-crushing blows of Mr. Telgit or the terrifying weight of Zaek’s strikes... this felt like nothing.

  ?Is this really all he has?

  ?Louis pulled back and attacked again. A flurry of strikes—right, left, thrust.

  ?Clack! Clack! Clack!

  ?Aelira blocked them all. She didn't counter; she just stood her ground, parrying efficiently.

  ?Louis frowned. He pressed forward, driving her back with sheer aggression.

  ?He’s fast, Aelira thought, stepping back. But I can see him.

  ?She needed to break his rhythm.

  ?She remembered Lysric during their training. How he moved. How he created distance.

  ?Let’s try that.

  ?Suddenly, Aelira turned her back and ran.

  ?“?!”

  ?The crowd gasped.

  ?“Oi, look! She’s running away!” a young squire jeered.

  ?Louis smirked. “Coward!”

  ?He chased after her, lowering his guard to gain speed.

  ?Just as he closed the distance, Aelira pivoted. She dug her heels into the ground, spun around, and raised her sword.

  ?“What?!”

  ?Louis couldn't stop. He was committed to the chase.

  ?He swung wildly at her legs, trying to trip her.

  ?Aelira hopped nimbly over the blade. It struck only air.

  ?Before he could recover his balance, Aelira brought her sword down.

  ?Whack!

  ?She aimed for his shoulder, but Louis twisted at the last second. The blade grazed his arm, but he rolled away, scrambling to his feet.

  ?He glared at her, chest heaving. His pristine white shirt was now dusted with dirt.

  ?“You...”

  ?Aelira didn't wait. She pressed the attack.

  ?Her swings were slower than his, but they were rhythmic. Relentless.

  ?Louis parried, his face twisting in annoyance.

  ?Why isn't she tired? he thought, sweat dripping down his forehead. I’ve been attacking non-stop!

  ?They broke apart again, circling each other.

  ?“It seems defending and running is all you can do,” Louis taunted, though he was panting heavily.

  ?Aelira watched him calmly. Her breathing was steady.

  ?“Are you done talking?”

  ?“Grr...”

  ?With a growl, Louis lunged again.

  ?From the sidelines, the whispers grew louder.

  ?“Are those really children?” one knight muttered. “The Prince is fast, but that girl... her defense is like a wall.”

  ?“She hasn't even broken a sweat.”

  ?Nearby, a man sat on a stone bench, watching with a lazy grin.

  ?Zaek Evarard.

  ?“Aelira vs. The Prince, huh?” he muttered, leaning back.

  ?He had heard the commotion and followed the noise. He hadn't intervened. Why would he?

  ?I knew Louis had too much pride to let it go. And I knew Aelira had too much stubbornness to back down.

  ?He watched Aelira parry another strike.

  ?“There is no need for it anymore, but it has progressed exactly as I thought.”

  ?In the arena, Louis roared. He poured every ounce of his strength into a furious assault. His sword became a blur.

  ?Smack! Clack! Thud!

  ?Blow after blow rained down on Aelira.

  ?She gritted her teeth. He’s getting desperate.

  ?One strike slipped through her guard, hitting her shoulder.

  ?Ouch.

  ?But it was weak. His stamina was gone.

  ?Aelira saw the opening.

  ?Louis swung wide, overextending himself. He stumbled.

  ?Now.

  ?Aelira stepped inside his guard. She didn't swing. She thrust her sword tip directly into his chest.

  ?Thump.

  ?It wasn't a hard blow, but it was enough to knock the off-balance Prince off his feet.

  ?Louis toppled backward, landing hard on his backside.

  ?He sat there, stunned. Disbelief warring with humiliation on his face.

  ?Aelira stood over him, her sword pointed at his throat.

  ?“Are you not done yet?”

  ?Her voice was calm. Her eyes held the same look he had given her earlier—cool, assessing, superior.

  ?Louis’s face turned scarlet.

  ?“This... isn’t how it ends!”

  ?He slapped her sword away and scrambled to his feet. He attacked wildly, abandoning all form.

  ?Aelira stepped back, dodging easily.

  ?“Haa... Haa...” Louis staggered. His legs were shaking. He could barely lift his sword.

  ?“I... I cannot lose, not to you...” he rasped.

  ?He raised his sword for one final strike.

  ?But his body betrayed him. His knees buckled.

  ?He collapsed to the ground, supporting himself on trembling arms. He tried to stand, but his muscles refused to obey.

  ?Aelira stood a few feet away. She was breathing heavily now, but she was still standing. Still holding her sword.

  ?Louis looked up at her. He saw the sweat on her brow, the determination in her eyes.

  ?He let out a bitter, defeated laugh.

  ?“I... give up.”

  ?He lowered his head.

  ?“It’s my loss.”

  ?Aelira blinked. She lowered her sword, the adrenaline suddenly draining away.

  ?“I... won?”

  ?The arena was silent for a heartbeat.

  ?Then, the murmurs erupted into applause.

  ?The referee knight blinked, snapping out of his daze. He cleared his throat and stepped forward.

  ?“The winner is... um...” He looked at Aelira. “Forgive me, My Lady, what was your name again?”

  ?Aelira straightened her back.

  ?“Aelira Viremont.”

  ?The knight nodded. He raised his voice, booming across the training grounds.

  ?“WE HAVE A WINNER! THE VICTOR IS LADY AELIRA VIREMONT!”